Your favorite holiday music is keeping you healthy! (National Caroling Day 12/20)

The holiday season is a perfect time to reap the health benefits of listening to seasonal tunes. You have a perfectly good social excuse to listen to holiday music when it comes to memory care and assisted living near Macomb, MI. Holiday music in particular can have a lot of health benefits during stressful times this fall and winter. At Oakleigh we strive to keep the spirit alive in celebration of big holidays (and even some lesser known ones), such as National Caroling Day in December 20.

Despite the shared love for Christmas classics, some people argue that holiday music can actually be bad for your mental health. We want to help you understand why they might believe that so we counter the argument with all of the great possible benefits.

What if I don’t like holiday music?

There are generally two types of people: those who love holiday music and those who hate it. A lot of this has to do with your emotional development, stemming from childhood; and associating with the holidays themselves.

If you don't like holiday music, that's perfectly okay as well. There are only so many times you can bop to “Jingle Bell Rock” in a single day. There is also no sense in anyone listening to music that they don't like. That would certainly have the opposite of the intended effect!


Boost your mood


A favorite old song can brighten your spirits and boost your mood. For people in assisted living near Macomb, MI especially; listening to old songs can bring about a nostalgic feeling, which produces a pleasant neurological effect. It also inspires feelings of hope, love, and happiness. Holiday songs will also get you feeling more festive- just don’t accidentally press “Repeat!”

Improves memory


Listening and singing along with your favorite holiday songs can help improve your memory. It improves your attention span, executive functioning, and can even help those with dementia and Alzheimer's. Individuals who have difficulty carrying a conversation can often brighten up and enjoy singing along with the music. Studies have also shown that music therapy can restore or maintain cognitive abilities in seniors.

As previously mentioned, National Caroling Day starts this month on December 20th. This is a perfect opportunity for you join in on singing your favorite Christmas carols.

Decreases stress levels


Classic Christmas tunes are good for the heart. Classical music can lower your cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate; which all impact your stress levels. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite record.

Reduces pain

Music therapy can help treat chronic pain as well as reduce pain in patients after surgeries, however you must actively listen to the music in order to help prevent the pain pathways in your brain from activating!

Since holiday music can help reduce stress, by proxy, it also reduces muscle tension that leads to pain. In fact, many clinics play holiday music to patients for this very reason.

Conclusion


Holiday music has the potential to bring people together and improve your health. If you love holiday music, then remember to get your loved ones together for some great holiday classics, and come join us at Oakleigh in December 20 for caroling and a splendid time!


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